MK forum

Howdy, Liz!

How's that for humility?
(I do not live in the Commonwealth.)

You got it, Bemused.
We can have some really great friendships/relationships with all kinds of people.

You learn something new "quite often." I never thought of the saying, "does a leopard change his spots" in that way ever. I always saw it in a negative sense that bad people rarely change, not that they can't. This gives me food for thought. I have a confession. I have taught people many practical things, such as sewing, cooking, cutting hair, cleaning, learning how to be organised, typing, budget balancing and so forth. Well, when a family member would thank me for all the help I gave a person they loved I would say, "well, at least it keeps them off the street." My mother said it and I carried it on. Finally just last year (believe it or not) I had someone tell me what that actually meant. I was horrified I had been saying this off and on for years and just thought it meant keeping a person busy thus keeping them from dwelling on their problems. Silly me. Full stop.

I have long said to my kids, "It's okay to make a mistake, as long as you learn from it."

And that's what a lifelong learner does. We realize we CAN be wrong, or even just mistaken, and we are willing to change.

Your "streetwalker" anecdote is a good example, Pamela!

Well, it's encouraging you got an answer...glad you are still !